Sisters Jayna Matsukawa, who handles the business side, makes macarons and loves vanilla, and Jill Yamashita, who works as the overall pasty chef and loves chocolate, wanted to start a bakery in Kaimuki to be a part of the up-and-coming food scene. Jayna told me that her shop, along with Otto Cake and Via Gelato, co-exist very well.

Although Chocolate & Vanilla offers the same goods daily, the flavors always change. With changing cupcakes of the week and various fillings to go with them (this week the red velvet cupcakes had a cheese filling, while last week it had haupia), the sisters create flavors from childhood favorites and constantly bounce ideas off each other.

When I went to the shop late in the afternoon, the display was rather empty – a very good sign for a bakery. Items like the peanut butter dobash, caramel mac nut brownies and the S’more with cookie butter filling were all sold out. Never before have I seen a French toast macaron, and I’m glad I made it on time to try one.

Weekdays after lunch are particularly busy, with customers requesting menu items be put on will call. The bakery also takes special orders made a week in advance. In the future, the bakery hopes to do more wholesaling and will be showcased by Brue Bar downtown. Follow @chocolateandvanilla808 on Instagram for daily updates on flavors.